Door construction for hopper cars



Nov. l, 1932. A. CAMPBELL 1,885,181

DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER CARS Filed April 20, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Illll Nov. 1, 1932. y A. CAMPBELL 1,885,181

DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HAOPPER CARS Filed Aprileo. 1931 e sheets-sheet 2 mmm jllllmmlllilw um Nov. l, 1932. A. CAMPBELL DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER CARS Filed April 2o. 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Nov. 1, 1932. A. CAMPBELL 1,885,181

DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER CARS Fi1ed Apfl 2o. 1981 8 sheets-sheet 4 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nav. l, 1932. A. CAMPBELL DOOR GONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER GARS Filed April 20. 1931 Nov. 1, 1932. A. CAMPBELL Y 1,885,181

. DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER OAKS f Filed April 2o. 19:51 6 sheets-sheet s Patented Nov. 1, l193:2

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARGYLE CAMPBELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ENTERPRISEv RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS DOOR CONSTRUCTION FOR HOPPER CARS Application led April 20, 1931. Serial No; 531,470.

My invention relates to improvements in hopper cars and particularly to the hopper doors and locking mechanism there-for.

One of the objects of my invention is to p'rovide an improved door beam member of a character which will strengthen the door throughout its entire width, extending its reinforcing action to the unsupported portions of the door whereby to protect the door against warping or twisting under the strains to which it is subjected.

A further object is to provide an integral door beam member of this character which will comprise a complete unit having an associated locking mechanism for the door, including integral latch-supporting brackets and means for attachment of the beam to the door, which will prevent displacement or overturning of the beam relatively t0 the door.

A further object is to provide an integral beam unit of this character, which includes integral means for supporting ballasting at tachment to be used or not as desired. Y

Other objects and features of my invention will appear from the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

vIn the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical section'taken through the centersill and car body in front of one of the hoppers and showing in elevation the hopper door and related hopper construction, together with the reinforcing beam member arranged to connect both of the doors of a pair in transverse alignment on opposite sides ofthe centersill;

Fig. 2 is a vlew 1n elevation from the left 'side of the structure of Fig. 1, of a portion of one of the hoppers and the door and door locking mechanism therefor; Y

Fig. 9. is a detail section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; f

Fig. 3 is a .detail plan section of the line 5*-3 of Fig. 2, showing a portion of the.

hopper wall and door frame and the keeper forthe door latch;l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view in elevation of a portion of a modified door and hopper structure showing the locking mechanism for the door;

Fig. 5 is a side view in elevation of the left side of the structure shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 5a is a detail plan section on the line 5a-5a of Fig. 5, illustrating the relation of the hopper opening marginal members and the related door structure;

Fig. 6 is a viewin elevation similar to Fig. 1 of the lower portion of the hopper door and door opening frame, showing the reinforcing beam member modified to apply to a single door individually operated independ ently of the other door of the pair, this view also illustrating the door locking mechanism associated with the reinforcing beam;

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section substantially on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the keeper' bracket secured to the bottom hopper wall and reinforcing. frame.

My invention is illustrated as applied to a hopper car of the W-type in which the hoppers extend below 'the centersill of the car and are arranged in pairs aligned transversely with respect to the car with a hopper on each side of the centersill. Each hopper 4is provided with an individual hinge door and the doors of each pair are likewise transversely aligned, so that the doors of a pair can be connected to operate together as aunit or independently of each other. The drawings illustrate one of the .hoppers and the door mechanism therefor on one side of -the centersi1l,but it is understood that the structure on the opposite side of the centersill is a duplicate and that the doors of both are aligned so that when they are connected together they may be operated in unison.

The principles involved in the construction of my improvedA reinforcing beam are applicable whether the beam is made for a single or a unit-operated door, or whether it is 'arranged to extend between both of the doors of the pair for the joint operationl of both doors. v

` Referring more particularly to the structure shownin Figs. 1 to 3, it will be observed that the centersill of the car is of the standard type which involves the twoI-beams 1 ex tendlng longitudinally of the car, spaced vThe vertical web of each centersill member plane of the bottom wall 8 of the hopper.

The marginal portions of the side walls and bottom wall are surrounded by a reinforcing frame member A in the form of a U or stirrup which is disposed around the outer face of these hopper sheets or walls and secured thereto by the rivets 10. This reinforcing frame member may be a rolled steel section bent at the corners of the hopper to conform to the contour of the hopper opening.I The section is preferably of T shape (Fig. 3), with the broad head 11 of the T overlying the hopper walls and secured thereto by the rivets 10. The portion 12 thereof extends beyond the edges 13 of the hopper sheets to define the hopper opening and provide a marginal'reinforcement for the hopper.

The stem 14 of the T section is an integral outstanding reinforcing rib or flange which,

as will appear dater, extends beyond the flanges of the door and cooperates therewith to form a seal around the edges of the door opening when the door is in closed position. The portion 12 of the frame thus provides an edge 16 against which the body of the door abuts and this portion 12 is tapered from a. thickened portion adjacent the flange 14 to a knifelike edge 1 6 which operates, when the door is moved to closed position, to cut away and dislodge any frozen obstruction, such as ice, which may accumulate and otherwise prevent the complete Aclosure of the door. By tapering the portion 12 of theframe a relativelysharp cutting edge 16 is thus obtained without sacrificing the strength of the por-l tion 12.

The inner vertical hopper Wall or sheet normally has its upper portion 17 parallel with and secured to the web of the centersill. The wall extends diagonally downward at 18 until it clears the outer edge of the flange 3 of the centersill, whereupon it is eX- cended vertically downward to the bottom wall of the hopper. The ed e portion7 however, of this wall 5 adjacent t e hopper opening is offset or embossed outwardly a sullicient distance to accommodate the inner vertical leg o f the frame A between the wall and the):

flange of the eentersill (Fig. 1). This embossed .portion is defined by the portion 19 bent at a more acute angle, and by the vertical portion 20 which is parallel with the main body 5 of the wall but spaced outwardly therefrom to accommodate the inner leg ofv the frame. The upper margin of the door frame is completed by a hinge-butt member B which is secured at its outer end to the upper end i of the outer leg of the frame A, and at its inner end 26 to the web of the centersill. This hinge-butt member is preferably a casting angular in cross section (Fig. 2), and its upper flange 27 is disposed parallel with and underlies the top sloping floor sheet 7 of the hopper. The floor sheet 7 is secured to said flange by the rivets 28. The other flange 29 of the hingeLbutt member extends downwardly at right angles to provide a rigid reinforcing rib. The hinge-butt member lhas hinge lugs 30 arranged in pairs and formed integrally therewith. These lugs extend downwardly and inwardly to a point below the hinge-butt member to provide bearings for the hinge pins 31 of the door.

The door C is pan-shaped and comprises a main bodyor plate 35 having integral marginal flanges 36 on its inner and outer vertical edges, and an integral flange 37 on its bottom edge, and these flanges are adapted when the door is in closed position to overlie the tapered portion 12 of the door frame A. The flanges are flared outwardly to conform to the tapered portion 12, so that they cooperate with the knife edge 16 of the frame to dislodge any frozen obstructions which may have accumulated in the door. In closed position the edges of the door flanges reach a point close to the flange 14 of the door frame and in cooperation therewith are effective in providing a seal between the door and the frame.

The body of the door has a pair of hinge straps 38 which are riveted thereto vand which extend upwardly to a point below the hingebutt member-between the hinge lugs 30 where they formhinge loops to embrace the hinge pins 31 and support the door for swinging movement.

The lower edge portion of the door is rigidified and reinforced by means'l of a beam D which extends the entire width of the door.

This beam ispreferably a casting which is in general channel or U-shaped in section comprising the web portion 4() and inner and outer flanges A41 and 42, respectively. This channel beam is secured by its inner flange 41 to the door plate and isinverted so as not to form a retaining pocket for material. It is related to the door in such manner that its web 4() extends outwardly at substantially right angles to the face of the door, and, being con'iparatively wide, it acts as a rigid brace for the entire width of the door, and stiffens the door throughout its width against any twisting or warping strains tending to distort the door out of its normal plane.

' The beam member is attached to the door plate by the rivets 43 which extend through the door plate and through integral lug portions 44 formed inthe inner flange 41 of the beam, the flange 44 of thebeam being wid- .inf

ened wherever .these lugs occur, so as to btain proper4 strength with a minimum of weight of metal. In addition to these lugs, the beam has several, in the present case two, integral lugs 45 which extend upwardly beyond the web of the beam and are se.- cured to the door plate by the rivets the purpose of these additional lugs being to broaden the bearing of the beam against the door plate to prevent the beam member from overturnng or becoming angularly disposed withJrelation to the door.

This provision against any tendency of the beam to overturn is assisted by the depending lugs or ribs 46 which extend downwardly around the lower edge portion of the door. The ribs 46 are'formed integrally as webs between the flanges ofthe beam and are extended downwardly to conform to the contour of the lower edge of the door and the lower liange 37, and they perform the additional functionl of strengthening the lower edge of the door.l and flange. They are preferably arranged in pairs and adjacent the corners of the door where the door is subjected to thegreatest danger.

The beam also has` provide means by which a ballast spreading attachment may be attached to the structure desired. These lugs are disposed substantially within the flanges of the beam and are arranged so that ,the links of the ballasting arrangement may be pivotally attached by means of the pins 48. A ballasting arrangement Eis shown in Figs. 1 and 2, having links El which are pivotally hung4 from the supporting lugs 47.

In the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and' 2, the aligned doors on the opposite sides of the centersill are intended to beoperated in unison, and the beam D is arranged as an integral structure common to both doors. The beam extends from the outer corner of one hopper door to the outer corner -of the other door on the opposite side of the sill, bridging the. intervening space between the two doors. A sufficient portion of the opposite dooris shown to illustrate the connection. It is understood, however, that the portion of the beam which overlies the said opposite door is constructed in the manner described.

lVhen the beam is constructed to connect both doors for unified operation, the locking orlatching mechanism is placed adjacent each end portion of the beam. In Figs. l and 3, the locking mechanism at one end of the beam is illustrated. The web of the beam has two upstanding integral walls 50 which are spaced apart and support therebetween alatohing member 51 which extends longi? tudinally of the beam and sufficiently beyond the outer end thereof to engage a keeper 52. The inner end of the latch member is` pivotally mounted on the rivet 53 which extends are positioned4 integral lugs 47 whichthrough the ,door plate. A ferrule 54 is mounted on the rivet 53 between the door plate and the bracket wall 50 to properly space the bracket walls from said door plate. The latch member is thus arranged to swing vertically on its pivot into and out of engagement with the keeper 52. A locking cam 55 is provided for holding the latch member against accidental displacement.- -This locking cam is supported between upstanding extensions 56 of the bracket walls 50, and is pivotally mounted `upon a rivet 57 which extends through the structureand the door plate in the same man,- ner as the rivet 53 just described. A ferrule 58 is also provided at this pointtoproperly space the extension 56 from the door plate. The locking camA 55 can thus be swung about its pivot and thereby arrange to lock or release the latch 51. The outer end of the latch is provided with an enlarged head 59 to properly withstand hammer blows sometimes necessary to swing the latch int-o or out of engagement with the keeper.

` The keeper 521s formed as a broad plate which is fastened by the rivets 60 to the door frame A and extends forwardly in'position4 to be engaged by the latch. rI`he keeper is formed with an effset'porti'on 61 (Fig. 3) to clear the flange 14 of said door frame A. The keeper has a shouldered notch 62 inits upper edge for engagement by the latch and the upper edge 63 of the keeper is sloped to provide an inclined approach for guiding the latch into the shouldered notch'.

In the structure shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 5, the beam and locking mechanism is modified slightly -to adapt it to a type of door in which theside flanges 65 are turned in the opposite direction away from the `main plane of the door and the lower flange 66 along the bottom edge of the door is turned toward the hopper to overlie the hopper frame. In this construction of the beam, the lugs 47 for the ballast-ing attachment are omitted and the reinforcing ribs 46 are also omitted. Since the flanges ofthe door are turned in the opposite direction to that which they were described in eonnec'ion with Fig. 1, the beam is offset at its central portion, bridging the space between the two doors to clear the inner flanges of the doors. The hopper frame is of a modified construction in that the inner and outer hopper side walls, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5, are turned allel relation to the plane of the door to form marginal abutting faces for the door plate. T he edge portions are then bent angularly to form anges 71 which overlie the flanges of the door when and which, in conjunction with the door flanges, form a sealbetween the door and lits seat. y

The walls of the hopper which define the opening'are*reinforced by-a fra-me member walls 50, the latch 51 and the.

outwardly at 7() in parthe door is in closed position,

7 5 which extends around the side and bottom Walls and is secured thereto by rivets and this frame member has an outstanding strengthening flange 76 at its inner edge. An angle member 77 is also provided across the bottom to strengthen thelower sloping wall of the hopper. This anglemember is arranged with the edge 78 of one of its flanges positioned flush wi'h `the seat face 70 of the side walls and is secured to the frame and bottom wall by means of the rivets 79. The other flange of said angle member extends outwardly at right angles to form a reinforcing rib across the bottom ofthe hopper and also to form a seal in conjunction with\the flange 0G of the door. The latch or locking mechanisin is similar tothat described in connection with Figs. 1 and 2, and the keeper 52 is likewise of similar construction and is formed with an offset to clear the flange 71 of the hopper wall.

,Referring now to the modification illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the door is of 'the pan-shaped type described in connection with Fig. 1, but is intended to be individually operated independently of the corresponding door of the hopper on the opposite side of the sill. In this inl-tance, the beam D is modified 'to adapt it to the individual door. For this reason, the locking mechanism and the keeper are positioned centrally of the door and substantially midway of the ends of the beam. The door plate 80 has side flanges 81 at i's inner and outer edges turned to overlie the door frame A, but the door plate and'the y side flanges terminate at 82 short of the bottem edge of the door and the remaining portion of the bottom edge of the door 1s completed by the beam member. The beam has a portion 83 and flange portions 84 which conform to the pan-shape of the door and constitute'a continuation of the'door plate 80 and the flanges 81. This beam also has a bottom flange 85 corresponding to the bottom flange 37 of the structure of Figs. 1 and 2, to complete the pan formation across the lower edge of the door. l

The portion 83 and the flanges 84 and 85 of the beam are all integral and, together with the beam, `are formed as a casting. The

purpose of this arrangement is to substitute a substantially non-corrosive structure for the lower edge of the door in place of the rolled sheet construction of which the door body is formed. Rolled steel sheets or plates are subvject to rapid corrosive influences and at the free edges of the door deteriorate to the point where' leakage readily develops, particularly at-the lower portion or peak of the hopper where the moisture settles. Cast steel, on the ether hand, is practically free from corrosive influences; and for this reason is substituted for thegrolled sheet steel. The beam has an inegral flange and extends parallel with and is secured to the lower portion of the door the faces of the body plate and portion 83v will be substantially flush with each other. Adjacent one end, the flange 92 of the beam has Aan upstanding lug 95 which is spaced from the flange 90 to provide a pivotal mounting for the end of a latch lever 96. The pivot pin for the latch lever is formed by a rivet 97 which extends through the latch lever,

through the lug 95 and flange 90 of the beam..

and through fthe body plate 80 of the door. This latch lever extends longitudinally of the beam above the flange 92 and in the angle between the flange 92 andthe flange 90 to a point adjacent the other end of the beam where its end 98 is turned outwardly so that it may be engaged by a suitable tool for the purpose of swinging the latch lever vertically on its pivot.

vThe latch lever cooperates with the hooked end 99 of a keeper. The keeper (Figs. 7 and 8) is in the form of a casting having a broad base plate 100 secured to the bottom sloping wall 8 of the hopper and to the portion 12 of the door frame A by means of the rivets 101. Upstanding from the base member 100 is a triangular shaped formation 102 which is arranged so as to shed material flowing from the hopper and prevent the vmaterial from pocketing around the keeper. This triangular formation has a front wall 103 which is disposed substantially at right angles to the base 100 of the keeper and is disposed in a plane substantially flush with the marinal edge of the hopper opening, so that it orms an abutment for the face of the door. The hook portion 99 of the keeper extends outwardly from this abutment wall 108 and is provided with a shoulder 104. spaced from the flange or web 90 of the beam for cooperation with the latch lever 96 when the door is in closed position, The door and beam are provided with alarge opening 105 through which the hook portion of the keeper passes when the door is swungto closed or open position. The wall 103 has a face area larger thanthe opening 106 so that the portion of the door surrounding the hole will abut against this" wall and seal' the hole against leakage of material when the door is in closed position.

The flange or web 90 of the beam has an ir.-

vtegral upstanding wall portion 107 disposed parallel with and bearing against the door Ilz:

an integral unit means for supporting an Y ing re-inforcing `plate 80, and the ange 92 has a corresponding wall 108 which extends upwardly parallel with and spaced from the wall 107. These walls pivotally supporta locking cam 109 above the' latch lever. The pivot for the locking cam 109 is formed by a rivet 110 which extends through the locking cam and through both the walls 107 and 108, and through the door plate 80. The locking cam, when swung to its position as shown in Fig. 8, bears against the latch member 96 and prevents displacement thereof after the door has been closed and locked. When swung upwardly about its pivot it releases the latching member 96 and enables thelatter to be raised out of engagement with the keeper to unlock the door. The locking cam has a lug 111 .at its upper end adapted to be engaged bya suitable tool for operating the cam.- The latcil lever 96 being position-ed between the walls -107 and 108 is maintained thereby against displacement, these walls also serving to guide the latch in its movement about its pivot, The outer wall 108 is reinforced by a pair of integralribs 112 extending upwardly from the flange 92 of the beamk at the sides of the opening 106 in the beam. These ribs also strengthenithe beam adjacent the openino'. In thel case of. a unit-operated door, where the beam is arranged to support only an individual door, the locking mechanism just described is positioned substantially in the centerof the length of the beam so as to support the door on this point. On account of the construction of the beam, however', the support of the door is extended by the beam in either direction from the point of support to the outer cor yrs of the door and thus rigidifying the l'goor against warping or bending.

While I have herein shown and described what I consider thev preferred manner o carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changesand modiiicationsjthat come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

L claim:

1h' In a railway car, the combination of a hopper having a discharge opening, a' frame for said opening, a door hinged on said frame, locking mechanism for supporting the door iii closed position, said locking mechanism including a bracket member disposed centrally in the plane of said discharge openin and a movable latch member carried by door and adapted to have co-operating engagement with the bracket for maintaining the door in closed position; 'and a reinforcing beam member secured to the doar and constituting a support for the movable latch member, said beam member embodying in the movable latch member and havguiding portions extending to either vhold the door in closed position,

d and through the side of the locking mechanism for supporting the portions of the door overhanging beyon the latching mechanism.

2. In a railway car, a hopper having a discharge opening, for said opening, a door hinged on said frame, locking mechanism for supporting the door in closed position, a reinforcing beam extending the widthof the door and secured thereto, a locking mechanism mounted on said beam, and means on said hopper cooperating with .said locking mechanism to said means on the hopper including a member fixedly mounted with respect to the frame and formed with a shouldered portion extending through the door for cooperating engagement with the locking mechanism on the beam.

3. In a railway car, the combination of means forming a hopper having a discharge opening, a. frame surrounding said opening, a door hinged to said frame to swing to and from the opening and comprising a sheet having marginal flanges, a reinforcing beam secured to saidsloor sheetadjacent the lower margin and extending from corner to corner of the door for reinforcing the door for its full width, said beam having a web portion in the plane of thedoor and an integral outstanding flange, integral lugs on said beam, a latch member pivotally mounted on said lugs, and akeeper mounted on said hopper in position to be engagedA by the latch to support the door in closed position.

4. In a hopper door for railway cars, the combination of a door body having angularly disposed marginal anges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from one flange to the other adjacent the j lower margin of the door and comprising a casting having a -web portion secured to the f body of the door and an outstanding Bange integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs on said flange,aand a latch pivotally mounted on said lugsl and extending lengthwise of the beam in the angle formed between the web and flange.

5. In a hopper door for railway cars, the combination of a door body having angularly disposed marginal flanges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from oney flange to the other adjacent the lower margin .of the door and comprising a casting having a web portion secured to the body of the door and an outstanding flange integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs .on

said iange, a latch pivotally mounted on said lugs and extending 'in the angle formed between the web and iange, a rivet forming a pivot for said latch and extending through .the lugs and latch body of the door, and a sp acermon the rivet between ,tliedoor vbody and the lugs.

the combination ofA aframe lengthwise of the beam` 6. In a hopper door for railway cars, the combination of`a door body having angularly disposed marginal flanges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from one flange to the other adjacent the lower margin of the door and comprising a casting having a web portion secured t-o the body of the door and an outstanding flange integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs on said flange, a latch pivotally mounted on said lugs and `extending lengthwise of the beam in the angle formed between the web and flange, integral walls upstanding from said web and flange and spaced apart to accommodate the latch member therebetween,A

and a locking cam for the latch pivotally mounted between said walls positioned to engage said latch member.

7. In a hopper door for railway cars, the combination of a door body having angularly disposed marginal flanges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from one flange tovthe other adjacent the lower margin of the door and comprising a casting having a web portion secured to the body of the door and an outstanding flange integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs on said flange, a latch pivotally mounted on said lugs and extending lengthwise of the beam in the angle formed between the web and flange, integral walls upstanding from said web and flange and spaced apart to accommodate the latch member therebetween, a lockingcam for the latch pivotally/ mounted between said walls positioned to engage said latch member, and a rivet forming a pivot for said locking cam and extending through said walls,

ycam and the body of the door.

8. In a hopper door for railway cars, the combination of a door body having angularly disposed marginal flanges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from one flange to the other adjacent the lower margin of the door and comprising a casting having a web portion secured to the body of the door and an outstanding flange integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs on said flange, and depending integral lugs on said beam for supporting a ballast attachment.

9. ,In a door for railway hopper cars, the

combination of a door body having angular- 1y disposed marginal flanges, a reinforcing member extending the width of the door from one flange to the other adjacent the lower margin of the door and comprising a casting having a web-portion secured to the body of the door and an outstanding flange'integral with said web, integral upstanding lugs on said flange, depending integral lugs on said beam for supporting a ballast attachment, and integral means depending from said beam and arranged to overlie and reinforce the lower marginal flange of the door.

10. In a door for railway hopper cars, the

combination of a door body having marginal flanges, a reinforcing beam for the door positioned adj acentthe lower margin thereof and extending the width of the door, said beam comprising a casting having a web portion uried against the exterior face of said door body and secured thereto by rivets, an integral flange outstanding from said web at an angle thereto to form an edgewise reinforcing rib for the door, and integral lugs on said web extending beyond the confines of the web and riveted to said door body to prevent relative overturning of the beam with respect to the door.

11. In a door structure for railway hopper cars, the combination of a pan-shaped door comprising the body and -angularly disposed :flanges at the inner and outer side margins and the lower margin of the body, a reinforcing beam vsecured to the body of the door adjacent the lower margin thereof and extending the width of the door from corner to corner to rigidify the lower margin. of the door, said reinforcing member comprising a casting having an integral web and flange disposed angularly with relation to each other, the web being substantiallyV parallel with and secured to the body of the door and the flange for said opening` comprising the body meml ber and a reinforcing beam secured to said door body at the lower marginthereof, and extending the width of the door, said beam comprising a web secured to the body of the door and an integral flange outstanding ed on said beam in the angle between the web and flange and extending longitudinally of said beam, and a keeper mounted on the hop'- per and extending beyond the plane of the door positioned to be engaged lby the latch member when the door is in closed position.

13. I n a railway car, the combination of a hopper having a' discharge opening, a door for said opening comprising the body member and a reinforcingbeam secured to said door body at the lower margin thereof, and extending the width of the door, said beam comprising a web secured to the body of the door and an integral flange outstanding therefrom, a latch member pivotally mounted on said beam in the angle between the web and flange and extending longitudinally of said beam, a keeper mounted on the hopper and extending @beyond the plane of the door positioned to therefrom, a latch member pivotally mount.-

said centersill in transverse alignment and.

each having a. discharge opening, a door for each hopper disposed in transverse alignment, a reinforcing beam extending the width of said doors and secured to the doors adjacent the door margin thereof and having an intermediate portion bridging the space between the two doors, said beam comprising a web portionr bearing against the body of theI door and an integral flange outstanding therefrom and extending the full length of the beam to rigidify the beam throughout its length, and blocking means at each end of the beam for supporting'gthe doors and comprising a latch pivotallyinounted on the beam adjacent each end and a keeper on each hopper adjacent the outer corner and extending beyond the hopper opening in position to be engaged by the corresponding latch when the door is in closed position. l

15. In a hopper car, the combination of a centersill, hoppers disposed on each-side of said centersill in transverse alignment and each having a discharge opening, a door for each hopper disposed in transverse alignment, a reinforcing beam extending the width of said doors and secured to the doors adjacent the door margin thereof and having an intermediate portion bridging the space between the two doors, said beam comprising a web portion bearing against the body of the door and an integral flange outstanding therefrom and extending -the full length of the beam to rigidify the beam throughout its length. blocking means at each end of the beam for supportin the doors and comprising a latch pivotallgy mounted on the beam adjacent each end and a keeper on each hopper.

adjacent the outer corner and extending beyond the hopper opening in position to be engaged by the corresponding latch when the door is in closedposition, and integral lugs depending from the beam for supporting a ballast attachment beneath each hopper.

16. In a hopper car, the combination of a centersill, hoppers disposed on each side of said centersill in transverse alignment and each having a discharge opening, a door for each hopper disposed in transverse alignment, Aai..'reinforcing beam extendingthe width of j said doors and secured to the doors adjacent` i the door margin thereof and having annintermediate portion bridging the space between the two doors, said beam comprising a web portion bearing against'thebody of the door and an integral flange outstanding therefrom i" extending lthe full length of the beam to rigidify the beam throughout its length,

blocking means at each end of the beam for corresponding latch whenthe door is in closed position, and integral lugs extending beyond the margin of said web and secured to the door body by rivets to prevent overturning of the beam relatively to the doors.v

17. In a hopper car, the combination of a centersill, hoppers disposed o-n each side of said centersill in transverse alignment and each having a discharge opening, 'a door for each hopper disposed in transverse alignment, a reinforcing beam extending the width of said doors and secured to the doors adjacent the door margin thereof and having an inter: mediate portion bridging the space between the two doors, said beam comprising a web portion bearing againstthe body of the door and an integral flange outstanding therefrom and extending the full length of the beam to rigidify the beam throughout its length, blocking means at each end of the beam for supporting the doors and comprising a latch pivotally mounted on the beam adjacent each end and a keeper on each hopper adjacent the outer corner and extending beyond the hopper opening in position to be engaged by the corresponding latch when the door is in closed position, integral guide members upstanding from the beam for guiding the latch member,

and a locking dog for each latch pivotally mounted on said guides above the respective latch members.

. 18. In a door for railway hopper cars, the combination of a body plate having side flanges, said body plate and flanges terminating short ofthe length of the door, a casting completing the length of the door and comprising a body portion having integral side flanges coinciding with the side flanges of the body plate and having an integral bottom flange joining said side flanges to complete the lower margin of the door, an integral reinforcing rib outstanding from said body portion, and an integral web overlying the body ofthe door and secured thereto.

, 19. In a door 4for railway hopper cars, the combination ofa body plate `forming the major portion of the door, and a casting overlying said body plate and forming the lower marginal portion of the door, said body plate andA said casting having flanges angularly disposed to provide a pan-shaped formation with flanges on the4 inner and' outer edges of said-door and on the lower edge thereof.

20. In a door for railway hopper cars, the combination of a body plate forming the major portion of the door, a casting overlying said body plate and forming the lower marginal portion of thedoor, said body plate and said casting having fl ngesangularly disposed to provide a pan-s aped formation with flanges on the inner and outer edges of said door and on thelower edge thereof, and an integral rib extending angularly outwardly from said casting throughout the width of the door whereby -said casting forms a reinforcing beam for the lower margin of the door.A

21. In a railway car, the combination of a hopper including side walls and a bottom wall; a discharge door pivotally mounted adjacent the upper portion of the hopper and having an opening adjacent the free edge thereof; a shouldered locking member rigidly mounted on the bottom wall within the hopper and having the shouldered portion disposed outwardly beyond said bottom wall and the door when the latter is in closed position; and a movable locking member on the outer side of the door adapted to have cooperating engagement with the said shouldered member for maintaining the door in closed position.

Q2. In a railway car, the combination with a load containing hopper including side walls and a sloping bottom wall; of a discharge door pivotally mounted adjacent the upper portion of the hopper and adapted to abut the margins of said hopperfwalls when in closed position, said door having an opening adjacent the free edge thereof; and a shouldered keeper secured to the bottom sloping wall within the hopper and having the shouldered portion adapted to extend beyond the bottom wall and through the opening in the door; a locking bar pivotally mounted on the door and adapted to assume a position between the shoulder of the keeper and the door; and movable locking means adapted to be positioned in the path of movement of the locking bar.

23. In a railway car, the combination of a load containing hopper and a discharge door pivotally mounted adjacent the upper portion of the hopper; said c oor having an opening centrally disposed adjacent the free edge lof the door; a beam on the outer side of the door adjacent the free edge thereof; a door retaining member iixedly mounted within the hopper and having aportion extending through the opening in the door, said last named portion having a shoulder, and a. movable member carried'by the beam adapted to assume a position between the said shoulder and a portion of the door for locking :aid door in closed position.

24. In a railway car, the combination of a hopper havinga discharge opening, said hopper being defined in part by a sloping bottom wall and side Walls; a frame member extending around said side and bottom walls and forming a margin member for said walls; a discharge door pivotally mounted adjacent its upper portion and adapted to swing into engagement with the hopper frame when in closed 'posit-ion; means for supporting the door intermediate the side walls, said means including a bracket withinythe hopper structure-rearwardly of the door', said bracket being secured to the bottom wall and frame, said door having an opening disposed substantially in alignment with the bracket, said bracket having a shouldered portion extending through the opening in the door and beyond the frame and door; and a latching element movably mounted on the outer side of the door for cooperating engagement with the extended shouldered portion ofthe bracket for the purpose of supporting the door in closed position.

25. In a railway car, the combination with means forming a hopper having a discharge opening; of a discharge door adapted to close the sai'd opening and having an opening therein; a beam member secured to said door adjacent the free edge thereof and extending substantially from side to side of the door for reinforcing the door for substantiallyits full width, said beam having a wall portion overlying the door and an angularly related flange mitstanding from said first named wall portion, said beam 5being also provided with intcgral wall means substantially parallel with the overlying Wall portion and spaced therefrom, said beam walls having openings therein; a latch clementJ movably mounted between said spaced walls; and a keeper mounted on the hopper and formed with a projecting portion adapted to extend through the openings in the door and the beam walls, the projecting portions of the keeper being adapted to have cooperating engagement with the movably mounted latch member of the door.

26. In a railway car` the combination with a hopper including a sloping tloor and a discharge door adapted to abut the said floor, the face of thedoor being adapted to form an angle with the. sloping' floor when the door is in closed position, said door having an v opening formed therein adjacent the free edge of the door; a bracket member disposed in the angle presented by the door and hopper floor, said member being disposed in alignment with the opening in the door and having a wall adapted to present an abutment for the door, said last named wall being of larger area than the opening of the door to present an overlapping portion adjacent the marginal edges of the opening whereby a seal is effected between the door and the said bracket member, said last named member being also provided with a base portion secured to the lower Wall of the hopper; said respective walls being nnited by a ridge-shaped integral portion; said bracket member having a shouldered portion extending outwardly beyond the last named wall on the bracket; and a latching element movably associated with the door and adapted to have cooperating engagement with the shoulder portion on the bracket for locking the door in closed position.

27. In a railway car, thecombination with a hopper including a sloping floor and a discharge door adapted to abut the said floor when in closed position, the face of the door being adapted to form an angle with the sloping floor; of a bracket member disposed in the angle presented by said floor and door, said bracket having walls disposed respectively in overlying relation with the hopper floor and the door, said door having an opening disposed in alignment with the associated Walls of the bracket, with its marginal edges lying within the confines of the associated Wall of the bracket whereby said opening when the door is in closed position is adapted to be sealed by the bracket a projecting portion formed integrally with the said bracket and adapted to extend through the opening in the door; and means movably associated with the door for cooperating engagement with the said projecting portion of the bracket for maintaining the door in closed position.

28. In a railway hopper car, the combination with a hopper including a sloping hopper sheet defining the lower vWall of a discharge hopper of a discharge door pivoted above said lower edge and having a face adapted to abut the edge of said sloping floor when the door is in closed position, said door having an openj ing therein adjacent the free edge of the door; a bracket member having a base portion secured to the lower wall of the hopper and an upstanding load shedding triangular shaped portion disposed in the angle presented by said door and wall, said last named portion presenting a wall of larger area than the opening in the door whereby a seal is presented adjacent the marginal edges of the opening in the door, said bracket being also provided with an integral shouldered portion extending through the opening in the door; and a locking member pivotallyl mounted on the door adapted to assume a position between the shoulder on the bracket and a portion of the door for maintaining the door in closed position.

29. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper structure including a bottom wall and a door pivotally mounted adjacent its upper edge and adapted to swing into abutting relation with the hopper bottom wall; of a. bracket secured to the hopper bottom wall, said bracket having angularly related walls of extended area, one of said walls overlying the hopper bottom wall and secured thereto and the lother of said walls overlying the face of the door when the latter is in closed position; and a triangularly shaped ridge-like structure adapted to divert the lading to either side of the wall which overlies the door, said door having an opening dis- Aposed in alignment with the bracket; a proj ecting extension from the bracket extending through the opening in the door; and movably mounted means carried by the door adapted to engage the extension on the bracket for maintaining the door in closed position.

30. In a railway car, the combination with Y a hopper construction having a load containing receptacle and a discharge door adapted to be moved into abutting relation with the hopper for closing the door opening; of means for locking the door in closed position, said means including a keeper disposed within the yhopper structure and having a portion prointegral wall adapted to lie outwardly of the n latch and act as a guide for the same.

31. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper having an opening and a door adapted to fclose said opening; of means for retaining said door in closed relation with respect to the opening, said means includinga keeper carried by the hopper and formed with a portion adapted to extend through an opening of the door; a reinforcing member on the outer side of the door, said reinforcing member having a body portion overlying the door and extending adjacent the free edge thereof, said overlying portion of the reinforcing member being extended around the marginaledges of the opening in the door to reinforce the same; a latchmember carried by the beam and movably mounted thereon for cooperating engagement with the projecting portion of the keeper, said beam being provided with integral portions constituting guides for the latch member. y

32. As an article of manufacture a combined reinforcing and latching member for a hopper door of a railway car, said member comprising a reinforcing beam member adapted to be secured to the door to extend substantially from side to vside thereof for reinforcing said door for its entire width, said reinforcing member comprising a onepiece casting having an integral web and flange disposed angularly with relation to each other, the web being substantially parallel with and secured to the body of the door and the flange extending outwardly therefrom; integral wall means extending upwardly from said flange and spaced from the web, a latch member pivotally mounted sol between said integral wall means and guided thereby' and a mounted between said walls in positlon to enage said latch member, said beam member em provided with an opening through whic a locking member on the ho per is adapted to. extend for engagement Ey said pivotally mounted lockin member.

ARGYL CAMPBELL.

ocking member pivotally' 

